February 28, 2011

I have made it!

I went to college for Sociology/Interpersonal Communication and married my high school sweetheart two weeks after graduation. I moved across several states to the mid-west to follow my soldier as he started his schooling. I knew that we would only be there for eight months, but I still felt discouraged when I could only get a substitute teaching job. That was the first taste of being an Army wife and not having a career. Then, we moved further west, and Joe left for his first deployment. I applied for various jobs for over eight months and yet nothing came up. I threw my hands up in the air and felt like giving up. Then, I received a job offer to be a GS-4 Human Resource Assistant. It took me four months to get a start date, but I didn't care!

I was able to work there for seven months and then we were forced to move. Of course.

When we moved to Texas, I took over the FRG and volunteered all of my time to making it run efficiently. Then, we got pregnant. And, I was high-risk.  After I had Porter, I received a scholarship to study to become an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC). I had to volunteer 400 hours of work to Army Emergency Relief, study, and take two difficult tests while adjusting to a new baby.  In April of 2008, I finished and received my accreditation! What a joyous moment!

Then, we moved back to the first place we PCS'ed to, and I started a job teaching new soldiers a 40 hour block of Personal Financial Management classes. I also worked a MFLC PFC where I travelled around to various places for Yellow Ribbon events. I felt good working with the families, but I wanted something more.

When we moved to the Bluegrass state, I started volunteering up at Army Emergency Relief. While I was there, I was approached one day and asked, "ROBYN! You have a AFC designation??" Uh yeah...and I was hired on the spot as the Survivor Outreach Services Financial Counselor which was a contract position! Fast forward 7 months later and the contract was up on the job, and I risked losing the job that I loved so much. 5 weeks went by, and I am proud to say that TODAY, I am back in the GS system!! I am a GS 11 Financial Counselor to 2400 amazing Families of the Fallen.  I can participate in the TSP (our 401k), get awesome leave, and fulfill my true calling.

What greater gift is there? I feel so incredibly blessed, and I look forward to the coming months and all of the advntures and discoverings that come with it! I made it!

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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 10:49 PM 1 comments

February 26, 2011

Are you a hoarder?

I finally had some time tonight to sit down and watch tv, and I couldn't find anything that I really wanted to watch! I settled on Hoarders and was transfixed for two full hours! The first episode showed a woman with TONS of animals in cages in her home that were dying left and right. She looked like a hot mess, and her family reminded me of the people who live in Army towns and are not in the Army (for my military friends, I am sure that you know what I am talking about). Gosh, she was awful.

The second episode dealt with one couple whose house was a disaster zone. The dad had to sleep in a car, because there was not enough room in the house. The second person profiled was this Grandmother who lost her husband and became a hoarder. She was known to be a klepto and stole from her children. But, she was so sweet. I teared up a couple of times when her daughter was yelling at her. You could tell that she had an illness but didn't know how to handle it. She was the success of the show. She saw what her hoarding was doing to her family, and she made a point to clean up her life. She was throwing stuff away left and right just to be able to have her family be around. It was really awesome to see. 

I couldn't imagine living like that. Could you? To not be able to walk in the house...to have garbage everywhere. It makes you angry to see but also so incredibly sad for those families.

Do you know a hoarder?

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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 11:28 PM 3 comments

February 25, 2011

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #31 (I am giving it a try!)

  1. Aside from no deployments, what is one thing you would want to make the MilSpouse life “perfect”? submitted by Oh How Delightful:
     I completely embrace the military life: I work for the military, I am involved in the FRG, and I fully support my husband. I will be the first to defend the Army from all of the nay-sayers. That being said, I just wish that the Army would give my husband opportunities that he deserves. We are waiting on a really big decision that has been a dream of J's for the last 7+ years. We are waiting on pins and needles to find out his fate, and he deserves it.

     2.   Just how many peppers did Peter Piper pick? submitted by Married into Army

      It depends...did he have kids with him when he was picking them?

     3.   If you could have any career in the world with nothing holding you back, what would you do? submitted by It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want To

     Exactly when I am doing right now. Taking care of our Surviving Families. I work for Survivor Outreach Services as their Financial Counselor on our current post. I work with the Families of the Fallen from the very beginning to help rebuild their lives following the death of their Soldier. What greater honor is there?

    4.   Do you have a service oriented tattoo and if so what is it. If you don’t what would you get? submitted by The Squid’s Accomplice

       Nope, no tattoos on this girl. If we want to be corny, I have a tattoo on my heart for our families who have lost loved ones and for all of the families who have to keep sending their soldiers back to combat.  We are on our third deployment right now, and it just doesn't seem to stop.

   5.   Imagine a block of time has opened up in your busy day for you to take a class in anything you like. What subject would you choose?  submitted by To The Nth

      Professionally, I would like to take a tax class and anything to deal with personal finance. But, personally, I would love to take a class on photography and photo editing. I have Photoshop, but I want to know how to make my pictures look professional.
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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 10:30 AM 1 comments

February 22, 2011

Time to get away...

I realized that I have been in a funk lately. With two weeks filled with negativity and sickness, I woke up and said, "It is time to get away from this crap." Where else to escape then to the home of one of your best friends?

I first met Shelly almost 7 years ago when our husbands were in the same class together. We had both recently gotten married and moved from the East Coast to Oklahoma. We lived in apartment complexes across from each other and would often take our little babies (a pug and a dachshund) across the street to the park.  They would run around and around and Shelly and I would talk.

While I am loud and never meet a stranger, Shelly is quiet and reserved. But, she has a heart of gold. She listens to my complaints and can follow my constant change of topics.  She shares my love for blogging, crafting, and the Army life. We lost touch for a couple of years but quickly picked right up where we left off with the birth of Porter. She was pregnant with her oldest, Ryan, and the boys are about 5 months apart.

While we moved from Fort Hood to Oklahoma and then to Fort Knox, she moved to Fort Campbell which is about two and a half hours away. When we got word that we would be at Fort Knox, I called her immediately to tell her how excited I was that we would be so close! 

This past weekend, Porter and I drove out to visit Shelly and the boys. Both of our husband are on their third deployment so I thought that eating out, shopping, and visiting would be the best medicine to the deployment funk. What a wonderful time! I came home feeling refreshed and more whole. Everyone needs to take some time to get away! Thanks Shelly!





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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 10:32 PM 2 comments

February 15, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day from Afghanistan


For 14 years, Joe and I have celebrated Valentine's Day from here, there, and everywhere.  This year was no exception as we have are separated by about 7,000 miles. And yet, Joe still finds a way to make my heart beat faster.

While I was running 2 miles this morning, I heard the dogs going nuts and figured that someone must be at the door. So, I hopped off the treadmill (don't worry, I made up that missed distance), and ran up the stairs and opened the door to our good friend James. He was holding a beautiful vase of red roses and an enormous box of Whitman Sampler! *would like to note that I looked like a drenched rat who had been taken out into the alley and beaten* He gave me a hug and said, "Joe told me to get the biggest box to make up for being deployed." Oh my gosh. Oh! And, I do have to say the card was extra special as well!

Then, as I was writing this gushy post on Facebook, I got a phone call from my Valentine! He normally doesn't call that early in the morning so it was extra special. He told me to go on my favorite site of all time, http://www.cricutmachine.com/ and buy whatever I wanted! Eeek! I contained myself and bought the Tie the Knot, Batman, and Calligraphy cartridges! It was free shipping after all...

My mom and sister sent us some great packages with chocolates, puzzles, and toys. Megan...you know I love Tolberones! Thank you so much!! And, my dad got Porter a DVD series of Howdy Doody! I am curious to see if he will like it!

After I got gussied up, I took Porter out on our own Valentine's day date. He is my other Valentine after all! Of course, I thought it was a good idea to get his haircut first (and we had to bring along mini flat daddy)...

 Bad idea. She completely shaved his head.

After crying my eyes out, I got over it and headed out for lunch. Porter has had the stomach bug for the last few days so I wasn't sure how he would handle eating out. But, he wanted to go to Red Lobster for "crab legs" so how could I say no??

Porter took this!

Porter ate about two bites and had to go to the bathroom  twice. Not the best lunch, but this was the first time that I have taken him to a sit down, real restaurant EVER!

*Must add....watching David Letterman and Tom Brokov (sp?) is wearing a corduroy suit...no buddy, no...*

We ran some other errands and headed home where we were greeted by my dear friend, Angela (who was rocking some HOT boots that her awesome deployed husband bought her). She was carrying this GORGEOUS bouquet from Edible Arrangements! Joe had sent her a message saying that I loved fruit and that he was wondering if she could help him out. I cannot thank her enough for going all the way to Louisville (or further, idk) to pick this up especially when her own husband is deployed. Thank you so much...I don't know what I am going to do when you leave :(

The rest of the day involved putting puzzles together, working on craft orders, laundry, making dinner and getting a surprise visit by our good friend, Ayse! She brought Porter some awesome flashcards which he breezed through! It was nuts! Thank you so much for being such a great friend Ayse.

I thoroughly believe that this was the best Valentine's Day ever. I have so many amazing friends and family who made a point to make this a special day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And, most importantly, thank you to my amazing Joe. 14 Valentine's days and here is to 50+ more. I love you with all of my heart. I can't wait for next year when we can be together!

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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 12:14 AM 0 comments

February 10, 2011

Home is where the Army/Navy/Air Force/Coast Guard sends us signs


What a great addition to any Army family home!

$40.00

Includes:
"Home is where the Army sends us" Sign
Name sign
2 duty stations with your choice of: baby feet (pink or baby blue), yellow ribbon, and/or gold/silver wedding rings as well as background shape (please see pictures below)

*Additional duty stations $5.00 each*

Signs are distressed and may not look identical to picture due to being handmade individually. Please only hang inside as they are not sealed.

Signs are connected with eye screws and have hanging hardware already attached

*Shipping is based on weight and ranges from $10.00-12.00 (Please allow 2 weeks for delivery) 





**Please email me at peanut.stitches@gmail.com with detailed personalization and a complete price quote**

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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 10:36 PM 0 comments

February 8, 2011

No peeking!

I wonder who these are going to!








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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 11:29 PM 3 comments
Self-proclaiming...

I have to admit...






I amuse myself.

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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 11:26 PM 2 comments
Puppy Love...

This Valentine's Day, I will be without my special Valentine. But, I will not be alone. I have this amazing stand-in to eat dinner with, snuggle up with, and smother with kisses!




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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 11:20 PM 0 comments

February 6, 2011

R&R Ideas...anyone?

Yes, it is extremely far away...but I am a planner. We know that we want to go to Hawaii as Joe has been wanting to go there for a long time. We were going to meet there as the military will pay to fly the soldier anywhere, on their dime, but I thought about it, and I wanted the real R&R experience:

**Meeting at the airport with tacky, homemade signs and balloons with someone being given the videocamera and someone else taking pictures and seeing him walk out of the terminal and running and giving him the biggest hug and kiss. And, with tears streaming down your face, you say over and over again "I love you" and "I missed you so much!" as everyone stops and stares but you don't see anyone but him.**

Yeah, I want that.


I also want him to be able to see where Porter goes to school (since he will probably be in pre-school at that time) and to be able to pack his own clothes (ok...I will have bought him a whole new wardrobe but he will have to put it in the suitcase!).


I also want a night alone with him. We have plans people. We are thinking about trying for a R&R baby. Totally a one in a million (or whatever statistic) chance but we will take it. And, I know that I can get a babysitter here to help us out with that.


Added on to that, I will be working and cannot just fly to Hawaii and sit around and wait for him to show up -dates are never concrete for leave- and then have to fly back home and leave him there, because I can't take any more time off!


And so, we will be shelling out an additional $900-1000 for Joe to come to KY and instead of meeting us in Hawaii.


My challenge to the two people who read this is to please help us plan this trip! I have asked my dear friend Cynthia who LIVES in Hawaii to help me, but I also want other viewpoints.


Please keep in mind that I am:


a. cheap
b. crazy, insane about clean hotel rooms
c. we will be brining Porter
d. we want to be by water and not have to drive far (would rather walk)
e. will have a military discount


Ok...ready, set, GO!

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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 10:43 PM 1 comments

February 3, 2011

Hot little number



Thank you Betty for displaying this hot little apron that yours truly made!


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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 10:49 PM 1 comments
I had a date tonight...


With this guy.



We ordered pizza and cinna-bites from this guy.


And this is what we watched.

What a wonderful night! I even got a *goodnight kiss*!

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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 10:14 PM 1 comments
Peace.









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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 10:03 PM 1 comments

February 2, 2011

Moments to remember

On the day that Joe left, he leaned down to Peanut and told him to "take care of Mommy". Yes, there have been days that Peanut has tested my every nerve.  He has thrown tantrums, told me "no" more times than I can count, and I swear he has brought home numerous germs from school thus resulting in my current double-ear infection and sinus infection.

But, for all of those negatives, the kid has truly been my little Joe. 

I can be cooking in the kitchen and he will come in to say, "Mommy, I love you"-just like Joe.

Peanut wants to snuggle on the couch and will occasionally reach over and give me a kiss on the cheek-just like Joe.

He has now taken to linking his hands together with mine while we are sitting on the couch, walking somewhere, and during our bedtime routine-just like Joe.

Tonight, as Peanut was emptying his plate into the garbage, he turned to me and said, "Mommy, thank you so, SO much for making me this food!" Uh, what was that??

And the moments that have made my heart lurch? Last week, when I was sad about being sick and missing Joe, Porter turned to me and said, "Mommy, it's ok, it is going to be ok. Daddy will come back" Oh baby boy...

And, finally, the grand finale of it all? During our nightly bedtime routine, Peanut gets to hear a book and listen to Daddy say our prayer and sing a song (via the voice recorder on my phone-thank you Sprint Evo!).  After that, we snuggle for "a few minutes" and I rub Peanut's head. One night, after I had a hard day, Porter reached over and stroked my cheek and told me that he loved me. Tears streamed down my cheek. He knew. He knew that I needed that.

We may not have Joe here with us in the physical form, but I have his mini-me.  And, that is what gets me through the day.

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Posted by Peanut Stitches at 10:37 PM 4 comments
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